Archive for the ‘Land Rover Series II’ tag

Land Rovers, old and new, on the beach at Red Wharf Bay. Photos courtesy Jaguar Land Rover.

In 1947, a legend was created on a beach at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey, U.K., when Maurice Wilks, engineering director of Rover, drew the shape of the original Land Rover for his brother Spence, the company’s managing director. Now, after 68 years, the life cycle of one of the world’s most influential 4x4s comes to an end; Land Rover’s Solihull plant will build its final Defender model in December.

The very first Land Rover, the Series I, was inspired by the Jeep developed for the U.S. Army during the Second World War. Maurice Wilks owned a surplus Jeep, which saw heavy use on his farm in North Wales; envisioning a four-wheel drive that could be used for agricultural purposes, Wilks designed a rugged and compact platform that included a power take off (PTO) for the purpose of running farm implements. The advantage of his Land Rover, Wilks rationalized, was that it could be used in the fields and then driven to town, unlike a pure tractor.

Wilks’s 1947 drawing, recreated in grand scale at Red Wharf Bay by a team of six Land Rover models.

Steel was still rationed in the postwar years, so Series I models used more plentiful aluminum in their body construction, which ultimately led to improved corrosion resistance. Paint, with the exception of army-specification dark green, was also at a premium, so early production models were offered only in this all-business hue. Rover still envisioned itself as a luxury automaker, and the Series I was seen as a way to generate the necessary cash flow until the automobile business re-established itself. Following the restart of automobile production, however, the Land Rover continued to outsell its more comfortable cousins, and remained in the product lineup far longer than Wilks could have imagined.

From 1948, when the Series I entered production, through 1951, the Land Rover was offered only with an 80-inch wheelbase and a 1.6-liter, 50-horsepower inline four-cylinder engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission. All Land Rovers were equipped with four-wheel drive and a two-speed transfer case, and amenities such as full doors, a canvas roof or a metal roof were optional extras.

Rover fell back on its luxury past during this time as well, offering a wooden-framed “station wagon” variant built by coachbuilder Tickford beginning in 1949. These models came with luxuries like leather seating, a heater, additional trim and a single-piece windshield; their downfall was they were taxed as automobiles instead of commercial vehicles, increasing their ownership cost and limiting their appeal.

Dragging the sand to create the massive drawing.

Engine size increased to 2.0-liters in 1952, raising output to 58 horsepower, and in 1954 the Land Rover grew in size for the first time, stretching to an 86-inch wheelbase. It would grow again in 1956, to 88 inches, but in 1955 a long-wheelbase model, measuring 170 inches (and later, 108 inches) was also added to the lineup.

The product line evolved over the years, adding models (such as pickups, troop carriers and even cab-forward trucks) when necessary and transitioning to the Series II in 1958 and the Series IIA in 1961. Both were marked with the introduction of new engines and subtle styling changes, but the trucks remained unmistakable as to their origin. The Series III arrived in 1971 and would carry the brand through the 1985 model year, eventually adding a V-8 engine to the option list. Rover sold over 440,000 of the Series III variant, enjoying brisk sales around the globe throughout the 1970s, with the exception of the United States, which remained loyal to the Jeep Wrangler.

The Defender series debuted in 1983, originating with the Land Rover 90 and Land Rover 110, depending upon wheelbase. Though stylistically and mechanically updated from the original Land Rover Series models, the Defender remained familiar in its appearance. The changes were enough to turn around Land Rover’s sales, which had dropped dramatically in the early years of the 1980s, and in 1993 the Defender was introduced (or reintroduced) to the United States.

The send-off models include the Heritage, Adventure and Autobiography Editions.

The model would be short-lived on these shores; though extensive modifications were made to comply with U.S. Department of Transportation regulations, further changes (such as driver and passenger airbags and side impact door beams) would have necessitated another costly redesign for the 1998 model year. Given the limited market in North America, Land Rover opted to withdraw the Defender and focus on sales of its luxury SUVs, creating an oddly strong demand for gray market Defender imports.

The Defender soldiered on in global markets, and in late 2013 Land Rover announced that production would end at the conclusion of 2015 (although the automaker is currently looking at off-shoring production for fleet customers outside the EU). For those living on the other side of the pond, the automaker is sending the beloved 4×4 off with a trio of special editions, including the Autobiography Edition, with an emphasis on performance and luxury; the Heritage Edition, which blends nostalgia with modern amenities; and the Adventure Edition, which embraces the Land Rover’s long-standing go-absolutely-anywhere ethos. All three are easy on the eyes (assuming, of course, one has an affinity for Land Rovers), but all will remain forbidden fruit on these shores, at least until 2040.

Land Rover is sending the model off with a fitting tribute, but it’s still sad to see it go. After almost seven decades of Series and Defender production, the truck’s replacement (which reportedly will be sold in North America) will have some tough shoes to fill.

There’s a certain mechanical honesty to early Land Rovers that’s missing from modern SUVs. Simple, (relatively) reliable and able to competently traverse a wide variety of terrain, buying a Land Rover is, in a way, akin to parking peace of mind in your garage. This 1959 Land Rover Series II Model 88, for sale on Hemmings.com, is described by its current owner as “structurally restored,” and used on an occasional basis only. Not cosmetically perfect, the aluminum body has the expected dents from 55 years of non-highway use, yet the relatively recent paint still appears to shine. Another plus is the truck’s conversion from positive to negative ground, but the seats (still covered in now-unobtainable “Elephant Hide” vinyl) are overdue for rebuilding. From the seller’s description:

This is a rare 1959 Land Rover Series II that has been structurally restored and functions perfectly. The standard 2.25 litre engine starts effortlessly, runs cool, has been regularly serviced and has current NYS inspection through September 2015. It has the standard Series II 4-speed transmission and four-wheel drive system. The vehicle has been used for fun around our property, driven rarely, and garaged year-round.

Like all Rovers of this vintage, this is not a daily driver (top speed is around 45 mph). We use it for family fun only, though it has also proved to be an utterly dependable fall-back if we are snowed in. The electrical system is the only thing upgraded from the original: In the course of installing a new solenoid/starter switch, I had my mechanic switch the vehicle to negative ground (including full field generator) and rewire as needed—e.g. the amp meter and coil wires. Everything works flawlessly.

The frame is perfectly sound and the body is in great shape, though like all such early aluminum Rovers it had a few dents and undulations, which were preserved when it was last painted; the paint job is four years old and looks new. No cosmetic upgrades have been made to the interior, which is as Spartan as the original, including classic “Elephant Hide” seats, though the seats are heavily worn and need replacing.

The rear compartment has no seats; it is covered with a 3/4”-thick rubber mat protecting the full floor-bed. The tires are Dunlop Radial Rovers, 235/85R-16.

Price: $10,000 Location: Croton On Hudson, New York
Status: No Longer Available

When it comes to Series II Land Rovers, we’re used to seeing them in scratched, dented and semi-abused condition; after all, Land Rover has generally been the go-to vehicle of choice for explorers roaming jungles, deserts and savannas the world over. While the bright yellow paint of this 1960 Land Rover Series II for sale on Hemmings.com caught our eye, its pristine overall condition is what made us take a second look. With a recent and extensive restoration completed, this Series II looks ready to carry its next owner wherever he needs to go. From the seller’s description:

Originally ordered by a Nevada mining company in bright yellow paint, the vehicle was instead lent by Merle Brennan to the 1960 Squaw Valley Winter Olympic Committee, who used it for ferrying staff and (most likely) contestants and visitors as needed during the Olympics. Part of the interior paint was in good enough condition to leave as-is!

In ground-up (chassis-off) restoration since 1998, the vehicle has been slowly and carefully restored to as-new or better mechanical and cosmetic condition, with a few significant updates: A new GM 181 CI motor (3 liter), producing nearly 150 BHP… about double the 70+ HP of the original motor. A Weber dual throat 38 DGAS automatic electric choke carburettor, with custom manifolds. The remaining running gear is the original gear, including gearbox, transfer case, and differentials. New, heavy-duty propeller shafts were manufactured for the vehicle by Great Basin Rovers in Utah. New power-assisted hydraulics, operating the original (but new) drum brake system. New parabolic leaf springs, featuring excellent compliance with uneven road surfaces, yet giving ride comfort more similar to coil spring suspension than the original stiff multi-leaf springs. The original wiring has been completely replaced by a new LR harness, modified to account for the all-electronic FM ignition and to permit the fitting of an entirely new modern blade-type fuse system. Exterior lights are Defender-type. Twin gas tanks have been fitted. The road wheels are new, galvanized 16″ steel rims, giving a higher top speed than the original 15″ rims. Matching galvanized spare rim & tire. The interior has been restored as much as possible to its original condition, using the best quality available reproduction grey “elephant-hide” vinyl, from a well known British upholstery firm. A new leather/aluminium small diameter steering wheel, and a new, far more audible air horn. Fitted recently is the galvanized roof rack and two heavy duty aluminum sand ladders.

The rear side glass features a small collection of original decals commemorating the previous owner’s participation in the Camel Trophy Series for Land Rovers, a worldwide series of competitive endurance trials meant to showcase the durability of production Land Rovers, under the toughest imaginable conditions to be found anywhere.

* We all know that Volkswagen built Syncro Vanagons, but as Ronan Glon at Ran When Parked showed this week, a couple engineers at Volkswagen pushed to adapt four-wheel-drive to the Volkswagen Type 2 in the Seventies, with just five prototypes as a result.